Top speed?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 3
From: California Desert
Unless you are going downhill, I don't think the 2.3L would go fast enough to warrant a governor. No offense to you 2.3 owners...mine is a 4cyl too, and I say that from experience. My 2.2L Toyota sounded like it was ready to blow the head right off the block at 85. Highlight of my career was to drive a Ferrari Testarosa at 140 (too bumpy of a road to go more).
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: Alvin, Texas.
Not that I am advising an act that might get you all tossed into a Po-leese car if caught, but the stock tires are rated for 112 mph--in good shape, at least.
I've only had mine up to the 85 and probably then some. Not a powerhouse, but my previous carbed Isuzu truck sounded even lousier at 70ish and I don't think I ever touched 80 in that truck.
I've only had mine up to the 85 and probably then some. Not a powerhouse, but my previous carbed Isuzu truck sounded even lousier at 70ish and I don't think I ever touched 80 in that truck.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Central Iowa
91 ranger pegged out at 85 and wanted to go faster.
Once we had a friends truck up to 100 and it hit the limitor. Yeah but it was on Iowas fantastic gravel roads.
Where are you at hreed?
I think I got it up to 65 once and scared me to death!
Where are you at hreed?
Last edited by 79redranger; Feb 25, 2004 at 11:48 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,603
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From: Claremore
had the ol' 91 2.3 pegged out on the turnpike (85)@about 2900 RPM in overdrive, but she went on up to about 3800 before I wussed out, lol. Conditions.... downhill w/ tail wind, lol. Therefore, I do not believe that the 91 2.3's nor many newer years (til about 97 or 98) have governers on them.
Highlight oh my career.... had the Lightning up to about 145 or so, felt like I was floating on air though, backed outta that really fast. Back end just is too light to go any faster or I prolly woulda.
Highlight oh my career.... had the Lightning up to about 145 or so, felt like I was floating on air though, backed outta that really fast. Back end just is too light to go any faster or I prolly woulda.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,824
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Had my 1992 2.3L up to 85.I would say that I was going faster because the needle was jumping over there in that corner .The engine could've gone faster,but the OD is geared too high to push those 3.45's in the rear any faster.I think that I'm going to get a Traction-Loc 4.10 for my Ranger.I'll let ya'll know what I hit then .
Nightrain
.The engine could've gone faster,but the OD is geared too high to push those 3.45's in the rear any faster.I think that I'm going to get a Traction-Loc 4.10 for my Ranger.I'll let ya'll know what I hit then .Nightrain
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,148
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From: Shawnee
I've had my Ranger up to 95.
When I was 18 I used to race my Rice Rocket and got it up to 140 with no helmet. I was stupid back then and don't think I would go above 120 now.
When I was 18 I used to race my Rice Rocket and got it up to 140 with no helmet. I was stupid back then and don't think I would go above 120 now.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: York, NE
My first truck was a 90 Ranger 2wd 2.3 5-spd, I had it to probably 105, since the numbers stop at 85 and the needle keeps going, and my current 93 Ranger (in my sig) I think around 110 to 115, the needle was wound past zero. Both were on a flat open stretch of highway with no mind. Now my fionce's Aurora, well the governer kicks in at 128 while still accelerating strongly.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
my '88 2.3 2wd s/c 5-spd 3.73s would top out at about 75 (with no headwind) my currant ranger has the same differential ratio and body style but has the 4.0 and ive had it up to 90, dont think theres much more in it than that, the r.p.m. is at about the max at that point as far as horsepower rating. the pontiac montana i got rid of to get the ranger would go over 100, wow 100 in a minivan, who would have thought?
Last edited by Ken00; Feb 25, 2004 at 07:02 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: northern Illinois
I've had my 98 up to 100, but even in overdrive it was realy screaming. I didn't want to push it any further than that on the crappy roads around me. My all-time fastest was 150 in my 73 dodge dart sport, but that was on a looong strech of flat straight road in the middle of nowhere. The one and only time those stock 2.71 gears ever came in handy. It was nuts to see how fast the telephone poles whipped by at those speeds. looking back it was kind of stupid, but what a rush!